The Wildlife Without Borders- Amphibians in Decline grant program will fund projects that conserve the world's rapidly declining amphibian species. This program will support activities that address threats to frogs, toads, salamanders, newts, and caecilians that face an unprecedented threat of extinction. Funding will be made available for conservation of species with native ranges in countries with the greatest need for conservation funding.
The Division of International Conservation recently, and unexpectedly, received funding that allows the creation of this new grant program directed at conserving the worldÂs rapidly declining amphibian species. Funding will be made available for conservation of species with native ranges in countries with the greatest need for conservation funding.
The House Conference Report (111-316) on the Department of the Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act, 2010, provided an increase of $1,000,000 for the wildlife without borders program. The conferees urged the Service to use a portion of this increase to work with the international community to conserve amphibians. Following the appropriation, the Division of International Conservation conducted an analysis of existing and new program priorities to determine what portion of the increase would be allotted to addressing amphibian conservation and how best to provide those funds to the conservation community. This process was completed the last week of February and the preparation of a NOFA and other materials necessary for the grants program was initiated.
We will allot $400,000 to this grant program, and we must expend the funding this fiscal year. Emergency approval is needed to ensure that (1) proponents have sufficient time to develop proposals, (2) those proposals receive a proper review, and (3) grant awards are in place by the end of fiscal year 2010. We are requesting a waiver of the requirement to publish 60-day and 30-day notices for this information collection. We request that OMB take action on this ICR no later than April 2, 2010. To award these grants this fiscal year, we must publish the NOFA on Grants.gov no later than June 1 to ensure sufficient time to receive applications by July 15, 2010. After approval of this ICR, we will immediately seek regular OMB approval by issuing a 60-day notice.
On behalf of this Federal agency, I certify that the collection of information encompassed by this request complies with 5 CFR 1320.9 and the related provisions of 5 CFR 1320.8(b)(3).
The following is a summary of the topics, regarding the proposed collection of information, that the certification covers:
(i) Why the information is being collected;
(ii) Use of information;
(iii) Burden estimate;
(iv) Nature of response (voluntary, required for a benefit, or mandatory);
(v) Nature and extent of confidentiality; and
(vi) Need to display currently valid OMB control number;
If you are unable to certify compliance with any of these provisions, identify the item by leaving the box unchecked and explain the reason in the Supporting Statement.
Form 3-2338B Amphibians in Decline Application - Cover Sheet and Narrative (govt)
1018-amphibian grant SSA.rtf
Emergency Approval Justification ltr.pdf
Amphibians in Decline - Reporting (govt)